Identification band



1965 M. E. TWENTIER 3,197,899

IDENTIFICATION BAND Filed Sept. 17, 1962 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,197,899 IDENTIFICATION BAND Max E. Twentier, Phoenix, Ariz., assignor, by mesne assignments, to .Avery Products Corporation, San Marino, Califi, a corporation of California Filed Sept. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 224,141 3 Claims. (Cl. 40-21) The present invention relates to a light weight flexible band which may be used as a bracelet, in institutions and hospitals for individual identification.

Marking or identification bands which are usually secured about the wrist of the wearer must have suflicient strength to prevent unintentional breakage and resist stretching to prevent removal while providing for the convenient application of the identification marking.

The use of an identification band under certain conditions brings about attempts to remove the hand without damage for improper use. It is therefore essential to provide a band which, when having been applied, cannot be removed without rendering the band unfit for further use. In addition to providing a practical band for the purpose intended, it is important to provide a band that is comfortable when in use which includes reducing to a minimum the weight of the band and providing for the convenient inscription of the identifying marking.

In accordance with the present invention, a band comprised is of a single strip of flexible material, the ends of which overlap and are secured together by an adhesive and upon which identification markings may be made and protected against alteration or erasure by a transparent cover strip. The cover strip also serves to reenforce the overlapping ends in such manner as to prevent removal of the hand without destroying the usefulness of the band.

An object of the invention is to provide a light weight band which may be quickly applied and Worn in comfort.

Another object of the invention is to provide a band that may be secured in place by joining the ends of the band in such manner as to prevent removal of the hand without rendering the band impractical for further use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a band in the form of a strip of flexible material having a portion of the surface area of the strip receptive to identification markings or data and in providing a transparent protective cover strip disposed over the markings and through which the markings may be observed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a band with an area to receive markings and a protective cover strip for the markings which the protective cover strip also serves to prevent separation of the band ends without destroying the band for unauthorized use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following description together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the band ready to be applied to the wrist;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the band showing one portion raised and the partial removal of a cover strip or tab;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2 showing a transparent strip in contact with an area of the band having markings thereon;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective showing the band with the ends in contact as when initially placed around the wrist.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4 of the band after the ends have been finally secured and secured together; and

FIG. 6 is a view of the 'band applied to the wrist.

As shown in the drawing, the present invention includes a band 10 of flexible material of a selected length to accommodate a wrist to which it is to be applied. One end surface area 11 of the band is coatedwith an adhesive material over which is a protective removable cover piece or tab 12. Intermediate the ends of the band is a transparent flexible protector strip 13 having one end 14 secured to band 10 in spaced relation to cover tab 12. The strip 13 has an adhesive surface 15 normally 7 protected by a cover piece or tab 16, which is scored and weakened at 16 to permit the removal of the main cover 16 leaving end cover piece or tab 17 attached. As will be noted the end cover piece or tab 17 has a feathered edge 17' which also includes a feathered edge at the end of the transparent strip 13, the purpose of which will be explained. Between one end of cover piece 12 and attached end of transparent strip 13 a surface area 18 is provided to receive identifying markings or data 19.

A band ready for use may be of a selected length to encircle wrists of different sizes. It has been found that bands to be used for adults may initially be 9% inches in length and of an inch in width.

When the band is to be put to use, the required data is applied to the area 18 which is receptive to a marking medium, as, for example, writing inks, typewriter and addressograph impressions. This may be readily accomplished while the band is in its initial condition as shown in FIG. 1. The band may then be wrapped about the wrist to which it is to be applied and the excess portion removed from end 20 of the band.

The markings having been applied and the band cut to the required length, the cover tab 16 is removed from the transparent strip 13 by engaging end 22 of the tab 16 leaving the cover tab 17 in place owing to the scored or weakened line 16 and leaving exposed surface 15 of the strip 13. The surface 15 of strip 13 being provided with an adhesive material is then placed with the adhesive surface in contact with the marking area 18 to serve as a protective covering for the marking and a Window through which the markings may be observed.

The cover strip or tab 12 at the end 11 of the band is then removed leaving an adhesive surface 23 exposed. End 20 of the band is then disposed in overlapping relation to the end 11 of the band and in contact with the adhesive surface 23 at the end 11 of the band. The ends of the band having been thus joined, the protective tab piece 17 is removed from strip 13 and the feathered end 17' thereof is disposed in contact with overlapping end 20 of the band. The feathered edge being a continuation of the strip 13, has an adhesive surface for contact with band end 20 to provide a positive union between the band ends. The feathered edge 17 prevents removal without destroying the usefulness of the band since efforts to remove the feathered end of strip 13 will result in tearing the strip lengthwise rendering it impractical for further use.

In accordance with the present invention an identification band is provided including a strip of any suitable light weight non-stretchable material such, for example, as a polyester which, as pointed out above, is receptive to a marking medium, the markings being covered by a protective window. The band is so arranged as to be quickly and conveniently applied in such manner as not to be removable without destroying the band for similar use.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described herein, it is to be understood that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An identification band comprising a strip of flexible material having a surface area receptive to data markings, a strip of flexible transparent material secured to said surface area by an adhesive to protect said markings, opposite ends of said band secured in overlapping relation and an end of said transparent strip overlapping said overlapping ends of said band.

2. An identification band comprising a strip of flexible material having a surface area receptive to data markings, a strip of flexible transparent material secured to said surface area by an adhesive to protect said markings, opposite ends of said band secured in overlapping relation and an end of said transparent strip overlapping said overlapping ends of said band, said end of said transparent strip having a feathered edge.

3. An identification band, comprising a flat strip of flexible material, a surface of one end of said band coated with an adhesive material for contact with the opposite end of said band When the band is around a Wrist, a cover in contact With the adhesive material on said band end, said strip having a surface area to receive data marking, a transparent flexible protector strip having one end secured to said band at one end of said surface area, said protector strip having a coating of adhesive material on References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,705,407 3/ 29 V Joffee 402 2,561,894 7/51 Wallich 4021 2,682,721 7/54- Harris 40-2 2,979,840 4/61 Eastman 402 3,077,683 2/63 Jones 402 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

EDWARD V. BENHAM, JEROME SCHNALL,

Examiners. 

1. AN IDENTIFICATION BAND COMPRISING A STRIP OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL HAVING A SURFACE AREA RECEPTIVE TO DATA MARKINGS, A STRIP OF FLEXIBLE TRANSPARENT MATERIAL SECURED TO SAID SURFACE AREA BY AN ADHESIVE TO PROTECT SAID MARKINGS, OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID BAND SECURED IN OVERLAPPING RELATION AND AN END OF SAID TRANSPARENT STRIP OVERLAPPING SAID OVERLAPPING ENDS OF SAID BAND. 